Two charged in case of murdered Chinese woman

TWO men appeared before Belfast magistrates yesterday on charges connected with the murder of an unidentified Chinese woman.

Chang Hai Zang, aged 25, of Skegoneil Avenue in North Belfast, was charged at Belfast Magistrates’ Court with murder, assault and unlawful imprisonment.

A detective sergeant told the court that when the charges were put to him Mr Zang replied “no”.

A second man, Yang Pan, from Glen Road in Belfast, who is also aged 25 and unemployed, was charged with unlawful imprisonment and assisting an offender in the disposal of the woman’s body and other evidence.

The court was told that when charged by the police, he also replied “no.”

Both men appeared in court wearing forensic suits.

Interpreters appeared with them in the dock to translate the proceedings into Mandarin. Both men looked sombre as the charges were put to them and proceedings were translated for them.

They have been remanded in custody to appear via video link on July 5.

Pan is seeking bail through the High Court.

During proceedings, a detective sergeant confirmed that there was no gangland or triad involvement in the murder.